Postbaccalaureate Pre-Medical Program

For students who already have a bachelor’s degree but are lacking the specific science prerequisites for medical school, PSU offers a loosely structured postbaccalaureate program. The timeline for completion varies based on the individual student’s previous preparation. Approximately two years is a common timeline for those without significant prior coursework in the sciences. The two year timeline allows for a balanced (though still challenging) schedule as well as more time to gain clinical exposure, demonstrate long-term service in the field, and include study time for the MCAT.  Coursework may include year-long sequences in general chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, and physics, as well as single term courses in genetics and biochemistry.  It is possible to further expedite the completion of pre-med courses with previous math coursework or utilizing summer accelerated sequences.  Postbac students will work with their pre-med adviser to determine a course plan that works best with their goals.

The postbaccalaureate pre-medical program is not a certificate program. Many postbaccalaureate pre-medical students do, however, easily complete a degree in science (science is an interdisciplinary major at Portland State) while completing prerequisite coursework for medical school. Most students need only add two to three classes to the pre-medical coursework in order to finish the degree. Pursuing a second degree while working on pre-professional coursework often enables postbaccalaureate students to receive financial aid for a longer period of time. For more information, contact a health sciences adviser in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.